The Royal Race: horses, champagne, and decadent hats

It's late June again in Ascot, England; time to emancipate the horses from the stables, part the racers from their trainers, and take the elaborate hats off the shelves. This annual event, named the Royal Ascot, that catered to the British high society lasted five days as women sipped champagne and conversed about the art on their head while husbands and other men in their lives rode until sheer exhaustion on the tracks. I don't think many eyes were actually on the well-thought out horse tricks but rather on the rainbow of headwear. But the royal family can't share their grandiose recreation with just anyone; tickets to the 'Royal Enclosure' require special admission and sponsors months in advance.

While hats could surpass the meaning of the adjective flamboyant, dresses were to be simpler and more conservative in order to create an elegant and polished look. Other strict style rules enforced at the event include no midriffs showing, no bare legs, avoid 'streaky' tan lines, and no dresses or skirts more than two inches below the knee. Because this day in high society isn't about just getting noticed.Men who aren't involved in the race are expected to look equally put together and sport suits and ties. When I reviewed the articles on the Ascot ball, I found it difficult to figure out what these hats were made out of. I'll hypothesize and say the collection was an intricate combination of feathers, fake florals, wire, and tulle. The hats with the highest quality fabrics most likely belonged to those socialites that were somehow related to Queen Elizabeth. But the head pieces became extremely abstract as the five days passed; I even spotted one with train ticket stubs spilling out of the bushy flower center.

So let's face it, the magic abilities of horses and equestrians alike are a bit overlooked on the nicknamed "Ladies Day;" but at least there's a huge audience! Including the barely visible back rows of the racing ring, Royal Ascot typically attracts more than 500,000 per year!

This British fashion ace was particularly attention-grabbing because I have rarely seen/heard of fashion and athletics blending together to paint a single culturally-enhancing picture. Some of the eminent names appearing at the stylish stables included Queen Elizabeth II, Ivana Trump, and British model Jodie Kidd.

 

ezinearticles.com/the-style-fallout-at-royal-ascot , bbcnews.com